An immortal jellyfish from the waters of the Caribbean is spreading throughout the world's oceans. The Turritopsis Nutricula is a tiny jellyfish which is just 5 mm long. It is technically known as a hydrozoan and it works in a very mysterious way. It is, through its cell development, actually able to reverse the ageing process.
Scientists, geneticists, and marine biologists are working closely to observe cell transdifferentiation, a process in which the Turritopsis Nutricula transforms from one cell type to another through its natural life cycle. Theoretically, this cycle can repeat indefinitely, rendering the animal potentially immortal. While most members of the jellyfish family usually die after propagating, the Turritopsis nutricula has the unique ability to return to a polyp state after reaching sexual maturity. Because these jellyfish do not die naturally of old age, they are spreading through the worlds oceans at a spectacular rate of growth. Dr. Maria Miglietta of the Smithsonian Tropical Marine Institute said: “We are looking at a worldwide silent invasion.”
4 comments:
I did not know this, why are they spreading? Is it because of climate change? Polution? If you don't mind I will link this news :)
Sure, you may link it, although it is already old news, from 1999, I believe. The news about them spreading is quite new however. They spread because they don't die, unless they are eaten by other animals. This means they keep on proliferating and the numbers explode. This way they extend their "territory".
The reason of spreading cannot only be because they are immortal, since they have always been immortal, why spreading now? It could be like they say in your sources: "Found in warm tropical waters Turritopsis is believed to be spreading across the world as ships’ ballast water is discharged in ports." Still, it is weird, how do they survive in colder waters if they are used to tropical?
He he you really got me interested on this, it is fascinating news :-)
i can only imagine that it is a very slow process and since jellfish can only live in salt not in fresh water, i think it is easy to accomodate or adapt to new environments, especially if the change is made gradually. jellyfish only move through water currents, they cannot locomote by themselves. the discharging of ballast water might be a reason... although i also think that maybe, being a hydrozoan, it has ontologically evolved this variation and it may not always have been immortal. so maybe since it appeared it continued to spread and only now, scientists have noticed...
ah, truth is, i don't know for sure, i am just assuming. if i find more info (though it seems hard to find), i will let you know!
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